Art, Theatre, and Culture in Colchester

Colchester is a culturally rich town, home to three theatres, an arts centre and several galleries including the internationally important Firstsite gallery. The town has a thriving artistic commmunity ensuring there is always a strong progamme of exhibitions, theatre, music and more happening in the town.

Beyond the town centre, Colchester lies on the border of Constable Country, an area of natural beauty that inspired the English landscape painter John Constable, and includes the areas depicted in some of his most famous paintings including the Haywain.

The Mercury Theatre is the town's largest, and main producing Theatre, whilst the Headgate is the home of amateur theatre in Colchester. The Lakeside stages smaller productions as well as shows by students at the University.

Aside from the traditional theatres, Colchester Arts Centre often programmes plays and more challenging productions, whilst in the summer months you can find pop-up productions in a variety of gardens, churches and unused spaces around town.

Galleries & Exhibitions

For anyone with even a passing interest in art, a trip to Firstsite is essential. Hosting a rotating programme of exhibitions so there is always something to see, past exhibitions include shows by Andy Warhol, John Constable, and Grayson Perry.

Just over the road you can find The Minories Gallery, run by the Colchester School of Art which has a dynamic exhibition programme, often including locally based artists. Their tearoom is run by Wilkin and Sons, makers of Tiptree Jam, and their shop is a treasure trove of locally crafted items and art.

Aggregate Flows showcases a new body of work by Peruvian artist Alejandro Jaime that responds to the geology and extractive industries located around the River Colne, which runs alongside the University of Essex’s Colchester campus.

Colchester has a thriving stand-up scene with several different sized venues hosting a wide range of comedians and shows. you will find a particularly busy schedule during the yearly Colchester Comedy Festival

You can find live music week-in week-out in the pubs and bars of Colchester as well as bigger names throughout the year at venues like Colchester Arts Centre. Every summer, you can also find music festivals in Castle Park.